DUBLIN – A 10-0 opening run propelled Scotland High to a 78-71 victory over East Bladen Thursday in the consolation bracket of the Woodmen Life Christmas Tournament.
“I thought we came out flat,” said Eagle Coach Kenzil McCall. “The kids played their hearts out yesterday against a good Fairmont team, and it was tough to come back out here today with that kind of intensity.”
Guard Denzel Johnson sank 2 free throws for the first Eagle points at the 5:09 mark of the first period. Demetrius Wooten banked in a 6-footer and turned a steal into a lay-up, and Eian Hines drove the baseline for a basket that trimmed the Scots lead to 12-8.
Senior Ethan Hines popped in a 10-footer, and Johnson drilled a 3-pointer then beat the Scotland pressure for a lay-up. Sophmore Adonis Avery dropped in a transition lay-up to pull the Eagles to within 19-17, but Scotland star Niem Ratliffe drained a 3-point shot for a 22-17 lead at the quarter break.
Johnson opened the second period with a 3-ball from the corner. Eian Hines canned 2 free throws, but a 3-ball and a follow by Scotland’s Greg McMillian kept the margin at 29-22. Ethan Hines canned a 10-footer to keep East within 31-24.
McMIllian bombed in a pair of 3-pointers, and teammate Janoah McRae nailed another 3-ball that ballooned the lead to 42-25. Eian Hines tapped in a rebound, and Johnson turned a steal into a lay-up that whittled the margin to 42-29 at halftime.
Ethan Hines drained a pair of 3-pointers, and Demetrius Wooten buried another 3-ball to start the second half. The Eagles pulled to within 46-40 when Johnson stole the ball and sprinted for a lay-up. Ethan Hines fired in another 3-ball that sliced the Scots lead to 47-43 with 4:17 left in the quarter.
Lay-ups by Tre Dixon and Al Farmer upped the count to 51-44. Johnson connected on another 3-ball, and Demetrius Wooten banked in an 8-footer and tacked on a free thow, but Ratliffe’s 3-ball and driving banker kept Scotland up 58-50.
Eian Hines converted a steal into a lay-up, but a Farmer turn-around kept Scotland ahead 60-52 at the quarter break.
Dixon hooked in a basket, drove for a lay-up and hit 2 free throws as Scotland started the final period with an 11-6 run that pushed the lead to 71-58. Johnson pumped in two more 3-point shots, and Eian Hines drove for a lay-up that pulled East to within 71-66 with 1:52 left.
A Dixon 6-footer and a pair of Farmer lay-ins iced the game at 78-68 with 26 seconds on the clock. Eian Hines delivered a 3-point basket with 16 seconds remaining.
“I liked the way the kids fought back out of that 10-0 hole,” continued Coach McCall. “Nobody’s giving up. We know if we play like we did against Fairmont, we can play with anybody in our conference.”
Johnson blistered the nets with five 3-point shots and led the Eagles with 23 points and 4 steals. Ethan Hines, playing just his second game of the season due to a football injury, bombed in four 3-pointers and finished with 18 points.
“Ethan gives us so much energy,” said Coach McCall. “It’s good to see that he has found his shot.”
Eian Hines posted another double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Teammate Demetrius Wooten finished with 12 points.
Ratliffe topped the Scotland scoring with 20 points, and Dixon followed with 18 points. Farmer tossed in 15 points, and McMillian finished with 14 points.
East Bladen will play North Brunswick – a 97-82 loser to First Flight – in Friday’s 2 p.m. game.
EAST BLADEN (71) – Demetrius Wooten 12, Eian Hines 13, Ethan Hines 18, Xavier Wooten 2, Sadrique Ingram, Denzel Johnson 23, Aaron Laforte, Adonis Avery 3, Majuan McKoy.
About Author
